Friday, November 25, 2011

Christian Won't Bake Cake for Lesbian 'Wedding'

Victoria Childress, of Victoria’s Cake Cottage in Des Moines, Iowa politely told a lesbian couple that her Christian values do not permit her to recognize their legal "marriage," and although homosexualists launched a boycott, her home-based business has since increased -- once again demonstrating that Iowans are pro-marriage.

[Lesbians Trina Vodraska and Janelle Sievers are] unsure whether to file a civil rights complaint with the state. However, the couple has since reportedly released a statement calling Childress a “bigot,” and the baker says she has been deluged with hate mail that she has stopped reading.

Christian businesses in America, including reception site owners and photographers declining to service homosexual couples, have routinely been targeted for lawsuits and harrassment in states that have legalized same-sex “marriage” or civil unions. Often the complaints spread through media, particularly gay blogs, where gay rights supporters are encouraged to keep up pressure on the offenders.

Childress told Fox News & Commentary that she made five cakes for the couple to taste – unaware that they were lesbians.

“I was straight-forward with them and explained that I’m a Christian and that I have very strong convictions,” she said. “I chose to be honest about it. They said they appreciated it and left. That was all that was said.”

A spokesperson for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission declined to confirm or deny whether they’ve launched an investigation.

State law only allows exemptions from discrimination laws to a bona fide religious institution.

. . . [the lesbians] apparently alerted their homosexual activist network, which quickly organized a boycott of Childress’ business. The conflict also attracted the attention of Des Moines television station KCCI, which gave Trina Vodraska a platform to voice her anger at being snubbed by Childress.

In a statement posted on the KCCI website, the lesbian pair claimed that raising awareness of the need for “equality” was their only goal in targeting Childress with attention for her refusal to serve them. They insisted that “it is not about cake or someone’s right to refuse service to a customer. We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received and hope that by stepping forward we have prevented someone else from experiencing the same type of bigotry.”

In an editorial on the incident the Family Research Council said that most Americans “don’t seem to understand that religious freedom and same-sex ‘marriage’ can never coexist. Why? Because the Left’s definition of ‘tolerance’ is surrender. And until more people like Victoria dig in their heels and refuse, homosexual activists will continue to bully anyone who disagrees with them.”

Childress said what shocked her, was how many Christians condemned her for standing for her convictions. “One of them said Jesus fed the multitude, and I was not being like Jesus because I was not feeding these two women.” She continued, “People treat the bible like a cookbook. They throw out what they don’t like and keep what they like.”

Childress told the Gazette she has no problem making cakes for lesbians; just not a marriage cake. “I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I won’t do ‘naughty cakes’ either for the same reason. I am standing for what the Bible says is right,” Childress said. “If they had come in and asked me to do a birthday cake, even if I knew they were lesbians, I would have done it.”

While she may lose business from homosexuals, she has received an influx of business from around the country. “I have tons of cookies I am now delivering around the country. Normally I don’t do cookies, and people wanted cakes but cakes don’t’ ship very well.” Childress said she has received orders from as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska.

On Tuesday, Childress was busy sending cakes to local homeless shelters for Thanksgiving.